Passengers' cooperation is essential to tackle in-flight smoking, including that of e-cigarettes, which is an illegal act that seriously undermines the safety of the aircraft and is harmful to the health of passengers.– Korean Air
SEOUL – After an increase this year of onboard e-cigarettes being smoked by passengers both in the lavatory and increasingly even in cabin seats, Korean Air has announced strong actions to eliminate smoking on board.
The airline is also training its cabin crew to be aware of today’s diverse range of e-tobacco – which can come in cigarette or liquid forms – and to take proper and strong actions should passengers disregard the regulations.
Under South Korean law, a fine of up to five or 10 million won will be imposed once in-flight smoking – including e-tobacco – is found.
Smoking e-cigarettes in planes have been banned since 2008. Although Korea’s Ministry of Government Legislation ruled that e-cigarettes were also tobacco products, the e-cigarettes could still be brought on board, but may not be smoked or charged. This issue is a common concern of airlines, since smoking during flights may ignite fires, wear down the in-flight air filtration equipment and also cause discomfort to other passengers.
While the number of in-flight smoking incidents has been declining year on year on board Korean Air flights – 120 cases in 2019 as opposed to 208 cases in 2018 – the airline has seen a jump from 38% last year to 54% this year in onboard e-cigarettes being smoked.
"The smoke detector attached to the airplane's toilet does not only detect regular cigarette smoke, but also that of e-cigarettes," a Korean Air spokesperson said. "Passengers' cooperation is essential to tackle in-flight smoking, including that of e-cigarettes, which is an illegal act that seriously undermines the safety of the aircraft and is harmful to the health of passengers."